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(No Model.) 7

E. R. FITCH.

IDENTIFYING DEVICE. No. 385,106. Patented June 26, 1888..

N. PETERS. Phclo-Lflhcgmplml, Washinglnn, n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN R. FITCH, OF AUBURN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO OYRENUS WHEELER, J R, OF SAME PLACE.

IDENTIFYING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 385,106, dated June 26, 1888.

Application filed March 16, 1888.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWIN R. FITCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Auburn, in the county of Cayuga and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Identifying Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and ex act description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has for its object a means for the identification of persons who may by accident, particularly from fire, become so far disfigured as to be unrecognizable; and it consists of a small case, which is practically indestruetible by fire, adapted to be carried upon the person, and containing a plate or equivalent device upon which are formed identifying marks.

Figure 1 is a perspective View of my invention when closed. Fig. 2 is a similar view when open. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view.

In the drawings, A represents a case, pref erably in the form of a shallow circular box, about the size in diameter of a silver dollarpiece. This case is formed of metal as brass, nickel, or silver-and contains a packing, B, of asbestus, mineral wool, or other similar re fractory material.

C is the cover, which may also have a lining, D, of asbestus or like material, adapted to tightly close the case A, its flange passing either out-side or inside of the flange of the case, as may be found desirable. This cover has engraved or otherwise formed thereon words-such as Bearers address inside which would indicate that upon opening such case the address of the person upon whom it might be found could be procured.

Serial No. 267.406. (N0 model.)

E is a tablet, preferably of metal, though any suitable refractory material may be used capable of bearing identifying-marks, such as the owners name, residence, place of business, or any other matter which may be considered desirable.

This article is light and portable, may be easily carried in the pocket of the owner, and will be a certain means of identification, even though the body be mangled or consumed beyond all possibility of recognition.

While my invention is particularly intended for use by travelers, it may also be carried by young children who are liable to stray from home, in which case it would ordinarily be made in locket form.

The lining of asbestus might be omitted and the invention still be valuable, though I prefer the arrangement which I have described.

I claim- 1. An identifying device consisting of a refractory case having a detachable cover and adapted to be carried upon the person, and containing a refractory tablet bearing marks of identification, substantially as described.

2. An identifying device consisting of a metallic case having a cover, both lined with refractory material, and a metallic tablet contained in said case and bearing marks of identification, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM A. MARTIN, A. S. MARTIN. 

